Description
This must be one of the very best, most original early Bay Window VW Campers we have ever had. GVO 504J is an early cross over, built on the 1st March 1971 with servo assisted disc brakes and twin port engine but still retaining the early ‘Bay’ styling to include low sidelights, small tail lights and rounded bumpers. Built in Germany for the USA market, the VW spent most of its life in US, and was imported from Arizona in 2011, and has been with its last owner since 2015.
One of the key features of this Westfalia is the outstanding bodywork that has not ever required welding work. The VW has been maintained by aircooled VW specialists Dubtricks who inspected the VW for the last owner and found no evidence of welding repairs or corrosion, confirming an exceptional original body. Prior to leaving the US in 2011, the VW was subject of a windows out re-paint and many years on since still looks pristine, and recently picked up a runners up prize in the VWNW Aircooled Classic ‘concours' at Tatton Park.
The Westfalia interior trim is largely original and still in excellent order, there is some fading present as expected due to age and climate, but the condition is quite remarkable. Even the original floor is still in place, and improvements to enhance the quality of the trim include new seat covers, overhead bunkbed in the lift up top and curtains amongst various seals and rubbers. The overall interior is impressive, and fabulous to retain a high level of originality.
Mechanically GVO 504J is outstanding, it has driven faultlessly to us from Harrogate and has been superbly maintained by Dubtricks. The last owner believes to have spent in the region of £20, 000 on the Westfalia, and invoices on file come to around £10, 000. Recently the VW has had a new servo and master cylinder, and the most significant expenditure was a re-conditioned engine from The VW Engine company - 1641cc but otherwise standard. Less than 2000 miles have been covered since, and other expenditure includes an alternator (due to the reliability of the Hella dynamo), stainless but standard patterned exhaust and upgraded ignition.
This National show level example really is stunning, the body is exceptionally straight, the paintwork stunning and the engine compartment exceptionally clean and ready to show. With a delightful interior, lovely clean dashboard with removable instruments fitted for extra safety, the VW is a true show piece. On the road handling and braking are first class, steering precise and the gearbox lovely and quiet. The engine performs superbly with impressive acceleration and cruises comfortably at 70mph. This VW is ready to use and enjoy, its proven completely reliable, has been impeccably well maintained and without doubt its last owner has been meticulous in ensuring this is one of the very best. GVO 504J comes with impressive file of paperwork and also a copy of the April 2019 VW Camper & Commercial magazine that includes a five page feature on this example.
